Successful treatment of lower urinary tract obstruction with peritoneal-amniotic and vesicoamniotic shunting

Abstract

Lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) which is most commonly caused by posterior urethral valves or urethral atresia, is often associated with high perinatal mortality and morbidity and long-term childhood renal dysfunction or even renal failure. LUTO is an uncommon clinical entity that can be diagnosed by ultrasonographic examination and is particularly presented by enlarged bladder, hydronephrosis, hydroureter and oligohydramnios. Despite being a rare pathology of the genitourinary tract, detection rates of it is higher than other congenital abnormalities with ultrasonography. Moreover, ultrasonography has become the most widely used diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of LUTO. Pulmonary hypoplasia resulting from severe oligohydramnios is the most common cause of death. Bladder drainage has a critical role on perinatal survival in fetuses with LUTO especially in those predicted to have a poor prognosis. Further interventions and observations of renal therapies may be required in childhood.

Keywords

• LUTO
• PUV
• Vesicoamniotic shunt
• Bladder outlet obstruction
• Pigtail catheter